Method of closing and sealing an opening in alpha metal container



Nov. 8, 1932. F, w, AMPLE 1,887,435

METHOD OF CLOSING AND SEALING AN OPENING IN A METAL CONTAINER Filed Nov. 7. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. w.. SAMPLE 1,887,435

METHOD OF CLOSING AND SEALING AN OPENING IN A METAL CONTAINER Nov. 8, 1932.

Filed Nov. 7, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet. 2 27 J2 Nov. 8, 1932. F, w, S PLF; 1,887,435

METHOD OF CLOSING AND SEALING AN OPENING IN A METAL CONTAINER Filed Nov. 7. 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 3 J6 J1 J0 r r 1 J1 y d J H o l 51 5 I 9 49 are l 4 2 35 I L n (if my 1 619 3, 49 5 o I o I J9 54 IV% +2 I C V? SS 59 throughout the seal area of the cap Patented Nov. 8, 1932 IUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I'LECK W. SAMPLE, OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO AMERICAN FLANGE & MANU- IACTUBING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS METHOD OI CLOSING AND SEALING AN OPENING IN A METAL CONTAINER Application filed November 7, 1931. Serial No. 573,694.

My invention relates to a method of closing and sealing an opening in a metal container, and it is particularly useful 1n closing and sealing the fill and/or dlscharge openings of metal containers used for storing and shipping gasoline, oil and similar products.

In carrying out my invention in its broader aspect, I provide an'opening in the wall of the container, which opening is defined by an outwardly extending annular flange having a circumferential, continuous bead provided at its outer end. A seal cap is mounted over the beaded end of the flange with the skirt or side wall of the former surrounding and ex tending downwardly over the adjacent rounded side wall. of the bead. A gasket is supported within the cap in position to seat upon the top of the flange bead. To secure the cap in closure-seal position, its skirt or side wall portion is engaged and moved radially by radially-movable means toward the adjacent rounded side of the bead. As this movement is continued, and the rounded side of the bead is engaged, the radial movement of the cap skirt is translated into axial movement by the engaged bead surface and the-cap as a whole is depressed upon the end of the flange compressing the cap-carried gasket upon the rounded top of the bead effecting a seal at that point. Simultaneously with the foregoing, the circumference of the lower part of the cap skirt or side wall is uniformly contracted and it is forced into uniform, snug engagement with the outer wall of the flange behind the bead.

Among the advantages to'be derived from the foregoing are: The cap and. gasket are depressed axially as a whole upon the flange and its head without the exertion of sub stantial pressure upon the flange and container wall in axial direction, which, if it should occur, would tend to distort the relatively thin-walled container wall, preventing proper sealing of the container opening; an absolutely air-tight and leak-proof closure is provided which will withstand at least as great pressure as the container as a Whole: a uniform seal relationship is provided the cap is so firmly secured that it cannot be removed without special provision therefor, and without such distortion and fracture thereof that its removal cannot be effected without detec-' tion; the container may be closed and sealed readily and quickly and, with proper tools, may be readily and quickly removed for access to the contents of the container; and a light weight and inexpensive seal of maximum efliciency is provided.

The principle object of my invention is to provide a novel method for sealing the container opening, which method aflords the foregoing advantages. Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of one form of structure for carrying out my invention as illustrated in the appended drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portion f a wall of a container having one form of opening provided therein according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a closure plug mounted in the container open- Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, except showing certain of the parts in elevation and illustrating a seal cap mounted upon the structure in position ready for securement thereto;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, with certain of the parts broken away, of a tool supported and centered upon the seal cap of Fig. 3 in readiness for actuation to secure the seal cap in place in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the lower portion of the tool of Fig. 4 and further illustrating the relationship between the tool parts and the seal cap prior to actuation of the tool to secure the cap in place; i

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially at the same position as Fig. 6 and showing the relative position of the parts as the sealing tool is initially actuated to secure the cap;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 but ShOWiIlg the parts in the same position as in Fig. 7;

' Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8 but illus- V trating the relative position of the parts in the final stage of seal cap securement; and

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken sub stantially on line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Referring particularly to the drawings,-

the container may take the form of a metallic drum or barrel having a head provided with an opening defined by an outwardly projecting, integral, annular flange 21 struck therefrom or formed inany other suitable manner. The drum head is relatively thin: walled and, to re-enforce the flange opening, as well as to provide for the reception of a threaded closure plug, a relatively thickwalled cylindrical bushing 22 is snugly fitted within the flange 21. The opening 23 of this bushing may well serve as a fill and/or discharge opening. Bushing 22 is provided at its bottom edge with a laterally extending annular flange 22 having, preferably, an octagonal outline shape, and this flange is seated within a similarly-shaped space formed by the boss or ridge 24 formed around the base of the wall flange 21. This arrangement provides a flush relationship between the bottom of the bushing 22 and the inner surface of the head or wall 20 so that obstruction is not offered to discharge of the container contents through the opening 23. The upper edge of the bushing 22 is taperingly thinned and it normally extends beyond the outer edge of the flange 21 so that it may be rolled over and upon the outer edge of the flange 21 to complete the securement of the bushing. The

, shaping and forming of the outer edge of the bushing 22' provides at the outer end of the flange 21 a circumferential bead 25 which plays a part in the carrying out of my invention, as will be referred to more fully hereinafter. This form of securement of the bushing 22 provides an air-tight and leak-proof joint between the flange 21 and the bushing 22, but, if desired, suitable gasket means may be inserted between the bushing flange 22 and the boss or ridge 24for further assurance in this respect. Although the opening 23 is preferably formed in the foregoing manner, it will become obvious hereinafter that, in certain cases, the bushing 22 may be dispensed with, the outer edge of the flange 21 being :rolled outwardly and inwardly upon itself to provide a bead corresponding to the bead 25.

In the use of containers of the foregoing character for the storing and shipping of gasoline, oil, and the like, the opening 23 must be closed in an air-tight and leak-proof manner. To that end, I provide the bushing opening 23 with threads for the reception of a metallic, threaded closure plug 26 applied as shown in Fig. 2. Specifically, this plug is provided with a slightly enlarged head 26 between which and its threaded body there is provided an annular groove 26 which receives a plug-carried gasket 27 formed of any suitable kind of compressible material. For weight reducing purposes, as well as to facilitate its insertion and removal, the plug 26 is provided with an irregularly-shaped central opening 26 which is adapted to receive a suitably shaped part of a tool for screwing the plug into or out of the bushing. As the plug 26 is screwed inwardly, the gasket 27 seats upon and is compressed upon a seat or ledge 22 formed at the outer end of the bushing threads 22 and beneath the top of the bead 25. The pressure of the gasket in the final insertion of the closure plug tends to lock the plug against loosening due to vibration, etc., so that the plug provides of itself a strong, durable, air-tight and leak-proof closure. It may well serve in this respect, after thecontainer has reached the user, and when opening and closing of the container is desired at will.

Obviously, unless guarded against, the plug 26 may readily be removed and replaced. It is highly desirable thatusuch a condition be guarded against during shipment and storage of the container to prevent theft, waste and unauthorized tampering with the closure. Should the lug not be sufliciently tightened, or if it's ould work loose during handling of the container, there may be a leakage of the contents, and it is, therefore, also desirable to provide an outside seal. To the foregoing ends, my invention involves the securement of an air-tight, leak-proof seal cap upon and over the bead 25 concealing and rendering inaccessiblethe plug 26. This cap when applied in accordance with my invention, is, of itself, fully effective as a seal in that it affords an air-tight and leak-proof closure. In-fact, a practical demonstration has clearly shown that such a cap applied in accordance with my invention is capable of withstanding pressures, without leakage, at least as great as the container as'a whole. Wherefore, if desired, the closure plug may be dispensed with; or a wooden or any other light weight plug may be used instead of the metallic plug 26. In this latter case, the plug may be frictionfitted within the container opening and the sealed cap may serve to prevent loosening and displacement thereof. The elimination of the use of a plug, or the use of a lightweight plug is of considerable importance from a weight-saving standpoint, particular- 1y where tonnage requirements (as in marine shipment) necessarily limit the number of containers in each shipment. This feature is, also, of importance in that cost of the closure may be materially reduced without giving up any ofits closure-seal advantages.

The next step in closing and sealing container opening involves the placement of a seal cap 28 over the bead 25 and plug 26 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3. The dimen- Sion of the cap skirt or side wall 28 is, normally, such that it fits freel down over the outer rounded side wall of t e bead with the free edge of the cap side wall extending below the center of the bead indicated at G in Fig. 2 (hereinafter referred to as center? and diameter of the bead). The central portion of the cap top is slightly depressed toprovide therearound and adjacent the cap skirt, a slightly offset annular space 28" adapted to receive a gasket 29 of an suitable compressible material which is, as i1 ustrated, normally of substantial thickness. Preferably, to facilitate uniform contraction of the ca skirt 28, it has a corrugated surface provi ing alternate ridges and depressions extending in the direction of the depth of the skirt throughout its circumference; however, I have found by practical demonstration that, if desired, the cap skirt may be formed 2 with a smooth surface without departing from my invention.

The securement of the cap 28 in sealing position is accomplished by uniformly depressing the cap as a whole upon the head to 25 compress the gasket 29, and by simultaneously contracting the circumference of the lower part of the cap skirt and uniformly engaging the same with the flange 21 behind the bead 25. This securement of the capshould be effected without the application of substantial pressure in axial irection upon the bushing 22 and the flange 21 because if considerable pressure should be applied in that manner, there would be a tendency to permanently distort the container head 20 and render the container unfit for further use. My invent-ion avoids this objectionable condition by gfippingly engaging the lower portion of t e cap skirt at a substantially uniform depth around its circumference and by. thereafter moving the same radially inward toward and upon the adjacent rounded surface of the bead 25. In other words, continued radial movement, as just stated, results in translation of the radial movement into axial movement without axial pressure on the flange 21 and head 20, due to engagement of the cap skirt with the rounded bead surface below the diameter of the bead, and

against the flange 21 behind the bead.

In carrying out the foregoing, I may use a tool of the character shown in Figs. 4 to 10, inclusive. Specifically, this tool takes the form of a center supporting stem 30 which screw-threadedly supports at its lower end the hub portion of a spider 31, the bifurcate arms 32 of which pivotally support, as at 33, a plurality of (preferably four) pressure -members 34. These members are each of identical shape and are so shaped and formed that in their assembled, closed position they provide an annular, segmental pressure structure of substantially frusto-conical shape.

this action results in depression of the cap and forcing of the bottom of the cap skirt' the members 34 radially inward. The op Thelower, arcuate edge of each of the members 34 is extended slightly inward at -sub-. stantially right angles to rovide an inwardlyl projecting, arcuate wor -engaging jaw 35, t e upper surface 35 of which tapers downwardly toward the work to be engaged for a purpose which will become obvious hereinafter. The upper end of each of the members 34 is extended upwardly beyond the pivots. 33 and is grooved at their outer edge to receive and retain a spring ring 36 which tends to hold the members 34 with their lower aw edges swung outwardly. away from the work (Figs. 5 and 6) and in a circumferential path slightly spaced radially from the outer edge of the cap skirt 28; however, when the members 34 are closed together, as will be explained, the circumference of the inner edges of the jaw faces 35 is less than the normal circumference of the cap skirt and this circumference approximates the outer circumference of the flange 21.

The clamp jaws 34 are actuated as follows: A bell-shaped member 37, which is normally positioned with its lower edge raised a predetermined extent, engages the outer arcuate faces of the members 34 and holds them in a predetermined expanded position (Fig. 4). The arms are contracted toward their closed position by movement of the member 37 downward as will be obvious from Figs. 5, 8 and 9. The upper end of the member 37 is provided with cylindrical extension 38 (Fig. 4) which slidingly engages the center stem 30, and this extension is provided with edgewise. diametrically-opposed wings 39 to which operating mechanism for reciprocating the bell is connected; This operating mechanism takes the form of a cross-member 40 screwed upon the upper end of the stem 30 and locked in adjusted position thereon by a suitable nut 41. The'opposite ends of the cross member 40 pivotally support, as at 42 (Fig. 4), the lower ends of handles 43. The lower end of each handle is also pivotally connected as 2111,44. at a point laterally and vertically offset with respect to the pivot 42, to a link 45, which is, in turn, pivotally connected to the wing 39 as at 46. Obviously, movement of the handles 43 laterally away from each other causes downward movement of the member 37 and, in turn, movement of 0- site action takes place when the handles 43 are moved toward each other.

In order that the members 34 throughout their combined circumferential surface assume the same position with respect to the cap skirt 28 and in order that the tool may be centered upon the cap without relative angu- 131 lar displacement or cooking thereof, the center stem 30 immovably supports a bell-shaped centering head 47 within the member 37 above the jaws 35. Specifically, this head is of a hollow frusto-conical shape having an open- 1 ing in its top through which a screw 48 (Fig. 5) passes for threaded engagement with the lower end of the stem 30. A washer 47 is interposed between the bead and stem for proper spacing; but it is obvious that this maybe dispensed with and the bead screwed directly upon the stem 30 if desired. In either case, the head 47 is so fixed, and its size and position is such with respect to the jaws 35, that it merely serves the purpose of centering the tool so that the jaws 35 will grippingly working .positions in which the tool may be used. This pressure will not permanently 'distort the container wall and, whatever it may be, does not effect actual cap securement, but merely aids in the firm and uniform seating of the cap upon the bead 25 for proper cap-securement action of the tool.

The centering of the tool against angular displacement or cocking is further facilitated by legs 49 supported at equally spaced intervals around the member 37 by the cross piece 40. These legs facilitate the setting of the tool upon the cap; but, obviously, they may be dispensed with, if desired, without departing from my invention. They also serve as a convenient support for the tool when not in use.

In securing the cap, the tool is first applied in the manner shown in Fig. 5. At this time the members 34 are expanded so that their jaws assume a position similar to that illustrated in Fig. 6 with respect to the cap skirt. In this position, due to the radial expansion of the members 34, the ends of each of their jaws assume a position closer to the cap skirt than the remainder of the jaw. As the handles 43 are moved to contract the jaws 35, the end edges of the jaws first engage and grip the cap skirt as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. The raised ridges in the corrugated cap skirt as well as the comparatively sharpcornered edges of the jaw faces facilitate the gripengagement between the jaws 35 and the cap skirt. As the jaws 35, which are of triangular-outline shape, are all simultaneously contracted, the adjacent side edges of the jaws 35 are moved closer together thereby, contracting the working circumference of the jaws and the circumference of the cap skirt, andthe entire jaw face surface grippingly engages the cap skirt.

As the handles are further spread apart ,and the member 37 is finally moved to the position of Figs. 9 and 10, the jaws 35 are substantially fully contracted. Their side edges have moved substantially into engagement with each other, contracting the working circumference of the tool and, in turn,

contracting the circumference of the gripped pprtionof the cap skirt to engage the flange 2 7 As the tool jaws 35 are moved inwardly from the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the cap skirt portion which is gripped by the jaws is moved against the adjacent rounded side of the bead 25 slightly below the diameter of the latter; and upon continuing the inward movement of the jaws, the engaged-rounded surface of the bead deflects the jaws downwardly. This downward deflection is permitted, with resultant depression of the cap 28, by the ability of compression of the gasket 29 which, as shown in Fig. 9, is, in the final position of the tool, compressed to substantially one-half, or less, of its original thickness. In other words, the gasket is compressed to substantially the extent of the vertical drop of the jaws 35 and head 47, less the very slight vertical displacement of the lower end of the jaws occasioned by their arcuate travel.

The gradual contraction of the working diameter of the members 34 and jaws 35 during the foregoing movement results in a uniform contraction of the diameter of the gripped portion ofthe cap so that that portion of the cap is finally firmly and uniformly seated against the flange 21 behind the bead. The cap isalso depressed throughout the circumference of the gasket 29 to similar extents so that a uniform seal between the cap and the bead is provided. Also, by aflixing the cap in the manner described, it is so firmly secured that it cannot be removed without special provision therefor. For example, the cap top may be provided with a scored section located over the top of the plug opening 26, which section may be broken through by a suitable tool and torn away through the cap skirt to loosen the latter and free the cap as a whole. Obviously, a closure of this character positively insures against undetectable tampering with the closure; The cap must be so distorted and torn away that the plug 26 cannot be reached, by an unauthorized person Without detection.

1 claim 1. The method of closing and sealing an opening in the wall ofa container defined by an annular flange extending from said container wall, which comprises mounting a preformed cap, having a substantially vertical side wall, over the free end of said flange with said side wall passing freely along the side of said flange, and moving the lower portion of' said side wall of said cap toward said flange by applying only radial pressure to said lower portion of said side wall, said movement being translated into axial movement of the cap as a whole without change in direction of said applied pressure and lower portion of the side wall of the cap and moving it radially inward by radially applied pressure only to engage the rounded side of said bead below the diameter of the latter, continuing said radial movement with said cap side wall portion eng ed with said rounded bead side causing translation of said radial movement into axial movement to depress the cap as a whole upon said bead and compress the gasket, and gradually and uniformly with said radial movement reducing direction of said ap lied pressure and without substantial axiall -applied pressure upon the container wall, and uniformly contracting the circumference of said lower portion of said cap side wall into engagement with said flange, the gasket being compressed.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

FLECK W. SAMPLE.

the diameter of the side wall of the cap to y finally engage the side wall with said 'flan e' behind said bead without substantial axial y side wall into uniform and ti applied downward pressure upon the top of said cap.

steps of forming an opening surrounded b an annularflange, forming a bead-shape annular enlargement around the outer end of said flange, mounting a cap having a smooth vertical wall over the end of said flange with a compressible gasket disposed between the cap and enlargement and with the cap side wall extending down over'the side of said enlargement, depressing said cap upon said enlargement and over the end ofsaid flange by engaging the side wall of the cap and moving it radially inward b radially-applied pressure against and a ong the rounded side wall of said enlargement below the diameter of the latter for translation of said radial movement into axial movement, and simultaneously contracting the entire circumference of the lower edge of the cap ht engagement with said flan e below said en argement.

' 4. The met 0d of closing and'sealing an opening in the wall of a container defined by an annular flange extending from said container wall, which comprises mounting a preformed cap, having a substantially vertical side wall and provided with a compressible gasket over the free end of said flange with said side wall passing freely along the side of said flange and the gasket resting on the free end of said flange, and moving the lower portion of said side wall of said cap toward said flange by applying only radial pressure to said lower portion of said side wall, said' movement being translated into axial movement of the capas a whole without change in 3. In a method of the class described, the 

